Pretending to be confident or making a false claim to deceive someone, or taking a bold risk by acting as if you have something you don't.
From Dutch 'bluffen' (to brag or boast), entering English in the 1800s, possibly related to German 'Bluff' (bragging). The poker sense became prominent in American English.
Poker players perfected the art of bluffing, but here's the psychology: a good bluff isn't just lying—it's controlling what your opponent *believes* you have. It's why bluffing is as much about confidence as deception!
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